Switch assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10141138-B2
Application number	US-201615344767-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 7, 2016
Priority date	Nov 6, 2015
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 2018

Abstract

A switch assembly includes a switch unit including a button and an arm extending from the button along a height direction, the arm including first and second contact portions spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction; and a slider unit extending along a width direction and including a nose to contact the first and second contact portions respectively at first and second engagement positions. The switch assembly provides a reduced need for space and enhanced friendliness in touch and feel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A switch assembly, comprising:
a switch including a button and an arm extending from the button along a height direction, the arm including first and second contact portions spaced along a longitudinal direction; and
a slider unit extending along a width direction, including a polymeric nose, positioned between the arm and a spring along the width direction to contact the first and second contact portions, respectively, at first and second engagement positions.

2. The switch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a control circuit positioned between the slider and button such that the slider unit is between the control circuit and the button, wherein a cushion interposes the button and the control circuit.

3. The switch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cover to support the slider unit such that the control circuit is positioned between the button and the cover.

4. The switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the button pivots about an axis extending along the width direction.

5. The switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the arm further includes a third contact portion spaced apart from the first and second contact portions along the longitudinal direction.

6. The switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the switch further includes a waist to be positioned between the arm and the button along the width direction.

7. The switch assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a switch case with an aperture to receive there through at least a portion of the switch.

8. A vehicle overhead compartment comprising:
a switch unit including a button and an arm extending from the button along a height direction, the arm including first and second contact portions spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction, the switch unit further including a waist to be positioned between the arm and the button along a width direction;
a slider unit extending along a width direction and including a nose being a polymeric material and positioned between the arm and spring along the width direction to contact the first and second contact portions respectively at first and second engagement positions;
a control circuit positioned between the slider unit and button such that the slider unit is between the control circuit and the button, wherein a cushion interposes the button and the control circuit; and
a switch base with an aperture to receive there through at least a portion of the switch unit.

9. The vehicle overhead compartment of claim 8 , wherein the button pivots about the switch base.

10. The vehicle overhead compartment of claim 8 , wherein the arm further includes a third contact portion spaced apart from the first and second contact portions along the longitudinal direction.

11. A vehicle comprising:
an overhead compartment defined within a vehicle interior;
a switch assembly attached to the overhead compartment and including a switch unit including a button and an arm extending from the button along a height direction, the arm including first and second contact portions spaced apart from each other along a length direction, and a slider unit extending along a width direction and including a nose being a polymeric material and positioned between the arm and a spring along the width direction to contact the first and second contact portions, respectively, at first and second engagement positions; and
a control circuit positioned between the slider unit and button such that the slider unit is between the control circuit and the button, wherein a cushion interposes the button and the control circuit.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the height direction is aligned with a thickness of the overhead compartment.

13. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the length direction is in a transverse relationship to the width direction having an angle formed between the length and width directions.

14. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the length direction and the width direction define a plane on at least part of the overhead compartment.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Kang Baogang
• Deng Chong
• Xu Wei
• Chen Bing

Classifications

• H01H15/10 Primary

  Operating parts · CPC title

• H01H1/44 Primary

  with resilient mounting · CPC title

• B60R2011/0043

  for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts · CPC title

• B60R2011/0028

  Ceiling, e.g. roof rails · CPC title

• H01H23/12

  Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon · CPC title